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February 15, 2006

African Field Notes: The Cheetah

Cheetahs can sprint up to 75mph, even turning in mid-air to continue pursuit of prey.

But these sprints often tire them. Cheetahs often lose their kills to other predators if they do not eat quickly. It's also very difficult to feed their young. Cheetahs are daytime hunters, likely because many of the predators that would steal their kills are noctural hunters.

This cheetah spent hours stalking this impala. I know because we watched it happen. After catching the antelope, the cheetah was so exhausted, it took an exceptionally long time for the impala to die. The cheetah just help onto its neck while the impala gasped, and then finally died. It was a very primal experience, not particularly pleasant, but necessary.

Cheetahs are not a threat to humans. In fact, at one time, they were used as pets.

Latin Name: Acinonyx jubatus
A Group Is Called: A Coalition (More At: Critter Collectives)

Check out our Safari South Africa podcast - an audio program and a video that features this animal!

Also on Perlgurl.Org:
The Asian Cheetah
He Wants To See The Cheetahs

Posted by sorsha at February 15, 2006 9:46 PM